Build a Stronger Core for Better Balance, Less Low Back Pain and Greater Well Being.

ChiroElite Chiropractic is having a new patient challenge/competition: Core Strength. A good majority of patients and public alike sit for most of their work day. Sitting has been labeled the new smoking. It not only tightens muscles in your back and legs but also prevents many muscles from being used. This tightness and weakening can wreak havoc on your back, SI joints and even cause issues such as sciatica and digestive problems.

Over the years I've done quite a bit of core strengthening both at the gym and in my living room. Many exercises require equipment of some sort but there are also quite a few which don't need anything. The latter just call for yourself and a soft surface incase you lose your balance and take a tumble. However, to really be able to do a full assortment of exercises, a few basic pieces of equipment are handy to have. This includes a yoga/exercise mat, swiss ball, stabilizer platform and the optional kettle bell weight.

Here are the three core challenge exercises we're doing at the clinic:

1. One-Legged Floor Touch

Stand on one leg. Reach down with both hands to touch the floor, keeping the weighted leg straight. Kick your other leg straight behind you so you make a horizontal line with the ground from head to toe. Come back up and repeat a total of 15 times per side.

2. Unbalanced Squat

Standing on an uneven surface, stabilizer platform or bosu ball; bend your knees as far as you can into a seated squat position. Be sure to keep your back straight by looking up the entire time. Slowly go back to standing and repeat a total of 15 times.

3. Swiss Ball Tuck

Using a yoga mat and swiss ball, climb onto the ball with your feet until you can securing wrap them around the ball to stabilize yourself. Keep your arms extended at all times and look forward to keep your back straight. Bring your knees to your chest as far as you can, being sure your pelvis doesn't rock down or back while do so. Extend back out and do 20 times total.

Our challenge comprises a before and after tally. Counting how many floor touches, squats and tucks patients can do at day one and comparing the improvement at day 30. I encourage everyone to do the same and see how much stronger and more balanced you can become.